Missoula city officials announced they will close the Johnson Street temporary homeless shelter in August due to the cessation of COVID-era federal funding. Over the next five months, efforts will focus on transitioning shelter residents into permanent housing. The city, in partnership with the Poverello Center, which manages the shelter, faces a funding shortfall as federal assistance ends.
“The city of Missoula is not alone in weathering the effects of the end of COVID-era federal funding and uncertainty over future funding,” Mayor Andrea Davis stated, emphasizing a shift to housing-first solutions for stability and reducing reliance on short-term shelters. The shelter, funded by the city and county at a cost of $1.8 million annually, will see its capacity gradually reduced starting April.
With 165 beds, the shelter can expand as needed, having hit a peak of 208 clients in January. A housing “sprint” from April to August aims to connect residents with permanent housing, including help with rental applications, substance use support, and relocation assistance. United Way of Missoula County will oversee fundraising efforts, targeting $400,000 to support these initiatives.
The housing sprint builds on the previous “Housed for the Holidays” program, which successfully housed 12 veterans in 60 days. However, Davis acknowledged the challenge ahead, “We don’t expect 180 people to get into permanent housing by August.” The city council’s recent ban on camping in city parks underscores the urgency of finding housing solutions.
The Johnson Street shelter, operational since November 2020, was initially established to address shelter capacity issues during the pandemic. Planning for the redevelopment of the site is moving forward, with demolition expected by September 2026. Community involvement, through donations to the housing sprint fund and participation in the Housing Advocate Network, is encouraged to support ongoing efforts.
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